1797 $10 Large Eagle, BD-3, R.5, MS62 PCGS....

Description

1797 Ten Dollar, MS62
Exceptional Large Eagle, BD-3

1797 $10 Large Eagle, BD-3, R.5, MS62 PCGS. Bass-Dannreuther Die State d/c. The two small obverse die cracks at the base of the second 7 have now joined into a die break, or a small cud as Dannreuther described. For the reverse, the crack from the eagle's beak is faint but visible with enlarged images. The 1797 BD-3 Heraldic Eagle ten dollar obverse die has ten stars on the left and six stars on the right, and is shared with all three 1797 Heraldic Eagle reverse dies. The reverse of BD-3 has no star below the beak and is known as the Short Thin Neck.

The 1797 BD-3 eagle is the rarest variety for 1797, including the Small Eagle variety. Dannreuther estimates that 40 to 50 examples of BD-3 are known. The year 1797 is the first year of the Heraldic Eagle design type for ten dollar gold, introduced after a limited mintage of 1797 Small Eagle ten dollar coins. This change to the Heraldic Eagle paralleled the undeclared Quasi-War with France, and Chief Engraver Robert Scot also engraved Heraldic Eagle revenue stamp dies, ordered by the Act of July 6, 1797 entitled "An Act of laying duties on stamped vellum, parchment, and paper." The duties raised considerable revenue used to help finance warships for the Quasi-War.

Robert Scot experimented with different neck and breast feather designs for the 1797 Heraldic Eagle ten dollar coinage, using variations known as the Long Thin Neck, Short Thin Neck, and Long Thick Neck. In 1799 Scot settled on an eagle neck and breast design with two similar reverse master dies that gave consistency until the ten dollar gold denomination was suspended in 1804, due to exportation of the gold eagles. The iconic Draped Bust gold obverse portrait design was unchanged from the time it was beautifully engraved by Scot in 1795 until the design was changed in 1807 to the Capped Bust half eagle and in 1808 to the Capped Bust quarter eagle.

This is an exceptional 1797 Eagle. Rich orange-gold toning and radiant luster generate wonderful eye appeal. Sharply struck for the variety and design type with hair curls, drapery, cap, and stars all crisply defined. The eagle's wing and tail feathers, motto, reverse stars, and arrows all have great definition. A small strike through off the portrait's mouth, and star 2 points to a tiny planchet flaw by the curls. Only small, scattered contacts marks are found that are less than usually seen for the grade. The overall presentation is outstanding, and the coin is within Condition Census for the BD-3 variety.
From The Costa Family Collection, Part I.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 25ZY, Variety PCGS# 45718, Base PCGS# 8559, Greysheet# 198072)

Weight: 17.50 grams

Metal: 91.67% Gold, 8.33% Copper

Note for clients in the European Union: This lot is considered by the European Union to be “investment gold”. We believe that it meets the criteria established in Article 344(1), point (2) of Council Directive 2006/112/EC and thus should be exempt from import VAT regardless of the selling price. Any questions or concerns about VAT should be addressed to your accountant or local tax authority.

View all of [The Costa Family Collection, Part I ]

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